“I want to help people who need a lot of help.”
For nursing supervisor Richard, it’s being there at the beginning of the recovery journey that makes the completion of care so gratifying. When patients come to BHCHP’s Barbara McInnis House, its 24/7 medical respite facility where Richard works, their health is often imperiled, requiring urgent, compassionate care.
“I want to help people who need a lot of help, said Richard, who joined BHCHP 11 years ago. “Our patients are very vulnerable and challenging because of their backgrounds and where they came from. They come to McInnis with wounds, with broken bones, frostbite, pneumonia, and when they leave, they are healed. That’s what makes my work so fulfilling. You’re making a difference in your patients’ lives.”
A nurse for nearly two decades, Richard said that his tenure at BHCHP has improved his nursing skills and so much more.
“I’ve learned a lot about care planning,” he said. “I’ve learned to be a better nurse and to make better judgments. I’ve learned at McInnis House to be nonjudgmental and to listen better and to be thoughtful about how I talk to patients.”
He also cherishes the opportunity to mentor new nurses at the start of their careers.
“My favorite part of working as a nursing supervisor is helping to orient new nurses and seeing them grow,” he said. “I enjoy giving them support and acting as a resource. For example, if they have questions about a medication or are having an issue with a patient or if a patient is having issues with another patient, I can step in and resolve it.”
Creating a supportive, responsive work environment begins at the top, according to Richard.
“I haven’t worked anywhere that management listens to their employees like they do at BHCHP,” he said. “They believe that family comes first. They recognize that you can’t give yourself 100% to the job if you have family issues. I had to take three weeks off to care for a family member and the organization was so supportive. That’s the culture of togetherness we have here. We work as a team and are there for each other. I intend to stay at McInnis for the rest of my career. I feel valued and rewarded by the work.”
